Fabric Care: Lingerie & Intimates

When it comes to washing your lingerie and undergarments, things can get tricky. This is where delicate fibers come to play: lace, satin, silk - you name it. And fancy department stores try to convince you that you need expensive detergent just for lingerie. The truth? You don't!

We're here to help answer some commonly asked questions about caring for delicates.

Q: What's the best way to avoid having all my light colored underwear turn grey and dingy?

A: The easiest way is to separate your colors and your fibers and wash accordingly. Not every fabric can be treated the same way, and super dark overdyed jeans have been known to bleed onto lighter fabrics. Keep your colors looking your best by washing lights and whites in a separate wash load.

Q: How often should I wash my bras?

A: Every 3-4 wears. A general rule is that you should never wear the same bra two days in a row, because elastic needs time to reshape. Have a rotation of a few bras, and give each one at least 24 hours to recover before wearing it again. With proper rotation, bras can last several wears between washes.

Q: Do I really have to hand wash everything?

A: No! You easily wash your intimates in the washing machine as long as you follow these simple instructions:

Hook your bras closed. Open hooks and closures can snag the delicate material.

Spot treat any stains with a stain fighter before washing.

Put your bras and intimates into a lingerie wash bag. Lingerie wash bags protect your delicate undergarments from snagging on the buttons and zippers of other clothes, getting tied up in sleeves, or the interior of the washing machine.

Put the wash bag in the washing machine or sink if washing by hand. If your washing machine does not have a delicate cycle, opt for washing by hand.

Set your washing machine to a delicate cycle with cold water. Hot water causes bras to shrink and can wear down the material. Delicate cycles help preserve your intimates and give them a longer life span, regardless of the color.

Add a mild laundry detergent and start the wash cycle. Mild detergents can protect the delicate fibers from damage.

Hang dry. Putting your intimates in the dryer sets stains and can cause them to shrink and yellow.